Getting a DWI charge can feel scary for numerous reasons. However, many people focus solely on the short-term consequences such as the possibility of going to jail.
The far-reaching consequences of a DWI conviction have much wider and more long-lasting impacts, however.
Trouble with employment
BACTrack discusses the potential long-term impacts of a DWI. First, having one on record can impact your ability to find and keep a job.
While it is illegal for employers to discriminate solely based on whether or not you have a criminal record in most cases, they can still prioritize other candidates for limited slot positions. In short, if you and your competitors have equally matched credentials, you will likely get passed over for a candidate without a criminal record.
On top of that, some industries have the legal right to refuse to hire people with a DWI on record. This includes jobs that work with children, government positions, and jobs that require a commercial driver’s license or frequent operation of heavy machinery.
Problems with housing
You may also see a reduction in housing opportunities, too. Once again, while landlords cannot discriminate solely based on criminal record, they can give priority to those who do not have one.
Word of DWI arrests often gets around in communities, too, which may make you feel isolated or displaced within your own.
These impacts can last a long time, for many years into a person’s future. For this reason, it is important for anyone facing a DWI to treat it seriously from the start.
